13. Talia
Chapter 13
Talia
I t feels surreal to wake up feeling clean and comfortable and well fed while nestled against Max’s strong body. I’m all set to stay where I’m at while he keeps sleeping, but his fingers start running along my back, letting me know he’s already awake. The caress is soft, lightly dancing along my spine before his palm is cupping my ass cheek in a firm, possessive grip that I’m completely on board with. I’ve been around possessive men all my life, so I’m not surprised at all that I’ve gone and found one for myself.
“Can we lay in bed all day?” I ask.
“Sure,” he says, his voice still thick with sleep. “We’ll just ignore all the texts and everyone who comes to knock on the door to check on us.”
The thought of my dad knocking or, worse, walking in to see what’s going on has me letting out a groan and lifting up so I can see the man who’s quickly become my other half. His blue-grey eyes run over me, taking in the sight of my bare chest and stomach.
“I mean, it wouldn’t hurt them to wait, would it?” he asks, giving me a grin.
“It’s bad enough my parents probably already discovered my empty bedroom this morning,” I tell him. “Besides, you know everyone is going to want to see you today.”
He sighs and gives my butt a soft pat before dragging his fingers lightly along my stomach and breasts while he talks. “You’re right. They’ll all be over to make sure I’m okay, and I want you to meet them.”
When he gives my nipple a soft pinch, I arch my brow at him. “If you want me to leave this bed, that’s the wrong way to go about it.”
He laughs and pulls me closer so my breast is hovering over his mouth. Keeping his eyes on mine, he opens his mouth and takes me in, running his tongue over my achingly hard nipple before giving me a suck that has my core sparking to life again with the memory of how good he can make me feel.
“Okay, it’s settled. We’re spending the day in bed,” I tell him, reaching down to wrap my hand around the large bulge that the sheet is doing nothing to hide. He groans and sucks me harder, and I’m all set to pull his joggers down and slide onto the thick length of him when both our phones start buzzing.
“Let the fun begin,” he says with a groan. Before he lets me go, he gives my breast one more suck that steals the breath right from my lungs. “We aren’t finished, svetik moy .” He murmurs the words against my skin as he cups the back of my neck and pulls me closer so he can kiss me. It’s a kiss that’s as hungry as it is sweet, and I’m practically vibrating with desire by the time our lips part.
He sees the raw hunger in my eyes and gives me a sexy smirk. “As soon as we’re alone tonight, you’re riding my face.”
I smile and give him another kiss. “And then I’m going to learn how to give a blowjob.”
He groans and pulls me closer, but then our phones start going off again, and the groans of arousal turn to frustration.
Refusing to be rushed, he gives me one more slow kiss and then says, “We’ll learn together, baby. I will kiss and lick and suck on your pussy until I’ve memorized every single thing you like. I used to spend hours practicing the piano, playing the same scales over and over and over again until I could play effortlessly, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do with you.”
He gives me a wink and a smile that can only be described as panty-melting before smacking my ass hard enough to sting. He laughs when he sees the shocked look on my face.
“Better get used to that, sweetheart. You have the kind of ass that was made for spanking.”
“I have no idea what you mean by that,” I say, scooting back so he can sit up and grab his phone.
“It’s round and perfect, the kind of ass that’s going to bounce and look so goddamn beautiful with my handprint on it.” He gives me another wink. “Don’t forget spanking is on the list.”
“I can’t wait to hear what else is on that list,” I mutter while I grab my own phone. I look at all the missed notifications. “I think every single person in my family is texting me. Oh, look at this.”
I hold out my phone so he can see the newest photo of Wallace. He’s sitting on the beach, looking every bit like the proud boy he is with his tongue hanging out and what looks like a huge smile on his face.
“He’s a really beautiful dog,” Max says, studying the photo. “I love that his eyes are two different colors.”
“Yeah, he’s a pretty boy, and he’s just as sweet and smart as he is beautiful.” I look at Max and grin. “Just like you.”
His deep laugh makes me smile. “Come on, baby, before you sweet talk me into locking the door and burying my head between your legs.”
“I think that’s a solid plan,” I mutter, but he just grins and holds out his hand for me, helping me out of bed. With his hand wrapped up and in a sling, I can’t tell if the swelling has gotten better. Not wanting to hurt him, I lean closer and very gently kiss the tip of his fingers. It’s the only part of his hand that’s exposed, but even that is so small that it doesn’t reveal anything. “How bad does it hurt today?”
“It’s still pretty numb. I think it’s starting to wear off, but it’ll be fine. Stop worrying.” He leans down and kisses my head. “Leave the worry to me. You don’t need to do it anymore.”
I look up at him, and the difference in our sizes has never felt so obvious. He’s still in sweats and a shirt, and I’m still naked, making me feel even smaller than usual. He must be a foot taller than me, and even though he’s lost weight, he’s still a solid wall of muscle. It would be intimidating if it were anyone other than him, but since it is him, the difference just makes me want to grab onto all that muscle and never let go. If his hand wasn’t injured, I’d already be climbing him like a damn tree.
He gives me a wicked grin that makes it clear he can read all my dirty thoughts and then drags his fingers along my stomach.
“You need to get dressed.” Taking a step back, he rakes his eyes over me and gives a deep, masculine groan, making it clear he likes what he sees. Max makes me feel like the most beautiful woman on the planet. Even though there’s a little voice in my head that’s trying to remind me of all my flaws, the heated look he’s giving me is louder than all those self-doubts.
“You make me feel sexy,” I say, the words out before I can stop them.
“You are sexy.”
I roll my eyes at him, and he raises a dark brow at me. He cocks his head to the side while a wicked grin plays at his lips.
“You did not just roll your eyes at me,” he says, taking a step closer. Before I can say anything, his hand is between my thighs, fingers sliding over my arousal. When I grab onto his upper arm and rock against him, he gives a soft laugh, enjoying the wanton display he so easily gets me to perform. He dips his head and gives me a feral look.
“So fucking wet,” he murmurs, gently running his thick finger along my wet lips, parting them just enough to drive me crazy without dipping inside. I give a pathetic little whimper when he lightly grazes my swollen clit.
“Please,” I beg when he gives my bundle of nerves another slow swipe of his finger. My knees threaten to buckle when he nips at my bottom lip and spreads his fingers so every thrust has him hitting everywhere but where I really need it. I’d be embarrassed by the frustrated whimpers and moans coming out of me if I weren’t so close to the edge. Right now, I can’t think about anything except the explosion of pleasure I’m dying to feel again. I want that blissful euphoria more than I want my next breath.
When he stills his fingers and pinches my clit between them, I have to wrap my arms around his neck to keep from falling. I feel his smile against my lips while his fingers very gently roll my clit. It’s the most intense feeling I’ve ever experienced—a mix of pleasure laced with pain, not enough to really hurt, but not enough to let me come either.
“What are you doing?” I whisper.
“Teaching you a lesson, svetik moy .” He lets up just enough to run his thumb over my clit, causing a quick rush of pleasure that he cuts off by giving me another pinch. “Are you sexy, sweetheart?”
“Huh?” My brain refuses to work. He’s reducing me to nothing but emotions, and my ability to hold a conversation is disappearing with each skillful touch he’s giving me.
He kisses me slowly while giving me another soft rub. “Tell me you’re sexy.”
Repeating words is something I can still manage, so I quickly nod and say, “I’m sexy.”
“Good girl,” he murmurs, giving me another rub. “That’s not something I want you to forget. I love your body, and I’m going to compliment it a lot because I think it’s perfection. It’s like every single inch of you was created just for me to enjoy. You make me hear the most beautiful music when I see you. You’re a walking symphony, svetik moy .”
He gives me another pinch, pulling a gasp from me as he nibbles on my bottom lip. “You’re not allowed to roll your eyes at me when I compliment you. It feels like you’re putting yourself down, and I don’t like that.”
“Okay,” I whisper, rocking my hips a bit in a shameless attempt to get another good girl rub.
He gives a soft laugh while running one long finger over my clit. I let out a relieved sigh, ready for the ecstasy that’s only seconds away, but before it can take hold, Max is pulling his hand up and sliding his wet fingers into his mouth with a groan of pleasure.
“Fuck, you taste good,” he growls when he’s cleaned up every drop of my arousal from his skin.
“You’re going to leave me like this?” I ask.
“I am,” he says with a big smile on his face. He gives me a wink and pats my ass. “Good girls get to come.”
“You just called me a good girl a second ago,” I remind him.
“I did, but you also rolled your eyes at me. How will you learn how to take a compliment if I don’t teach you?”
“Max,” I start to say, but he cuts me off with a kiss.
“Don’t pretend you don’t like being edged, sweetheart, because we both know you’re going to be dripping wet all fucking day because of it.”
He’s right, and my silence has him giving another soft laugh.
“It looks like you bring out a domineering side of myself that I never knew I had.” He cups my face and says, “I’ve always known I like to be in control. I like precision and can be a bit obsessive about things, but I never knew that would carry over into the bedroom.”
He steps closer, letting me feel the hard length of him as it presses into my stomach.
“But the idea of controlling you, of tying you up and spanking you, of edging you for hours while you beg me to let you come—fucking hell, sweetheart, I think I’ve found my new addiction. So, yes,” he says, while running his thumb over my parted lips. “I’m going to leave you needy and wet and wanting more because it pleases me to know you’re going to be walking around like this. It makes me rock-fucking-hard to know this intimate detail about you, and to know that you’re not going to disobey me by getting yourself off.”
“You sure about that?” I whisper.
The grin he gives me is downright feral. “I’m positive, because you’re not just a good girl, Talia. You’re my good girl, and you and I both know it.”
The soft whimper I give as arousal drips down my inner thighs is all the confirmation he needs. He kisses me hard, letting me know exactly how much he loves this, how much it turns him on to know that I’m going to willingly go along with this.
He breaks the kiss and murmurs, “Looks like I’m not the only one discovering kinks. Is my girl a bit of a submissive?”
“I don’t know,” I say, being honest. “I’ve never thought about this kind of stuff before. I mean, obviously I’ve heard of it and read about it in books, but I didn’t think it was something I’d be into.”
“And now?”
He dances his fingers along the side of my breast, making my whole body break out in goosebumps. “I think I might be really into it.”
“We’re going to test that theory,” he says, running his thumb over my nipple. “I want you to wear your yoga pants again, but no panties this time, sweetheart.”
“You want me in yoga pants and no underwear?” I ask, already thinking about how wet I am and how awkward this is going to be.
“I do, and you’re not allowed to touch this pussy without my permission. Understood?”
“Yes.”
He hooks a finger under my chin and tilts my face up to his. “If doing this doesn’t turn you on, then I don’t want to do it. You can change your clothes whenever you want, you can play with that sweet pussy of yours anytime you want, and I won’t be mad, Talia. But if this turns you on as much as I think it’s going to,” he says with a grin, “then you’re in for a very fun day. I think every step you take is going to remind you of how badly you want me to ease your frustration. The friction against your clit is going to drive you crazy, baby, and I can’t wait to see you squirm.”
A knock at the door has my heart jumping in my chest. I scoot behind Max right as he takes a step in front of me, shielding my body with his in case anyone is crazy enough to just walk in.
“Yeah?” Max calls out and the tone isn’t unfriendly, but it’s not very friendly either.
I recognize his brother’s voice when he says, “This is awkward for me too. You’re not answering your phone. I’m supposed to tell you that breakfast is ready and everyone is on their way over.” There’s a pause before he adds, “Talia, your dad and brothers are keeping it together, but I think it’s only a matter of time before one of them comes down this hall to get you.”
“Oh my god,” I mutter against Max’s back. He gives a soft laugh and reaches around to pat my ass.
“Thanks, Niki. We’ll be out in a sec.”
Before Max can even finish his sentence, I’m grabbing my yoga pants and pulling them on, without my panties, and then shoving my sweatshirt back on. When I turn back around, Max is in the process of bringing my panties to his nose. Closing his eyes, he breathes in my scent. There’s something insanely erotic at watching the effect I have on him. The groan he gives is one of pure appreciation, and there’s no hiding the very large dick that’s trying to break free from his sweats. When he opens his eyes, the ravenous look in them has me instinctively taking a step back. He grins when he sees it.
“There’s no running from me, svetik moy . I’ll find you no matter where you go.”
“Promise?” I ask.
“Promise.” He gives my panties one last sniff before tucking them into his pocket. “I’m going to change into jeans because apparently I can’t wear joggers around you if other people are going to be around. Last night nearly killed me. Your dad will try and shoot me if I walk out there like this.”
I look down at the tent he’s sporting and laugh.
“You think this is funny?” he teases. “Don’t forget you’re going without panties. No one else will see how turned on you are, but I will.”
“Don’t get too smug,” I tell him. “You’re going to need my help to button your pants.”
“Fuck,” he groans. “That’s right. God, I hate not being able to use both hands.”
“I’m happy to help,” I tell him, walking into his closet and grabbing a pair of jeans. I pause on the way back to him because he’s already kicked off his pants, and his boxer briefs aren’t doing shit to hide the dick I am now officially obsessed with.
“You’re not making this easy,” he says. “My cock is not breakfast today.”
“I think I could probably change your mind about that, but I really don’t want my dad to come looking for me.”
Walking closer, I bend down and open his pants so he can step one foot in. He looks at me like he thinks it’s a trap, but I behave myself, helping him into his jeans before pulling them up his strong thighs. I almost make it all the way up, but that thick bulge is just too much of a temptation. Before he can stop me, I grab the waistband of his boxers, pull them down, and wrap my mouth around the head of his cock.
“Jesus fuck,” he growls. “You naughty fucking girl.”
His fingers thread in my hair, but now that I’ve gotten a taste of him, I’m not about to let go. I moan and run my tongue over him, tasting his pre-cum before giving him another suck.
“This was not the plan,” he argues, and I laugh against his cock.
“God, your ass is going to be so fucking red, sweetheart.” He fists my hair tighter, pulling hard enough to get my attention. When I raise my eyes to his, the dark look he’s giving me should have me worried, but instead of pulling back, I run my tongue over his head again, smiling at the groan he gives.
“You want to suck me off, baby?”
“Mm-hmm,” I murmur around him.
“Even though I’m going to make you pay for it later?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I think I misjudged you,” he muses with a wicked grin playing at his lips. “You might be a sub, but you’re a bratty one. Okay, my disobedient girl, have your fun. Do whatever you want, and I hope it’s worth the punishment you’re going to get later.”
I don’t give a rat’s ass about later. All I care about is right now, and when I immediately try to take more of him in, he gives me a wink and softens his grip on my hair.
“So fucking beautiful,” he murmurs while looking down at me. He watches everything I do, mesmerized by the sight of every suck, every lick, and every kiss I give him. This is another first for both of us, and I don’t want to fuck it up.
When I take him in too far and gag, he doesn’t look even remotely disappointed by it. If anything, it seems to turn him on even more. His cock swells in my mouth as he gives another deep groan and rocks his hips, thrusting into me deep enough to make me gag again.
“I will never get tired of seeing that.” His voice is strained and even sexier than usual. “No matter what I’m doing, some part of me will always be reliving this moment. My beautiful girl choking on my big fat dick, trying so hard to take me all the way in.”
Tears run down my cheeks from gagging, and the sight of it nearly sends him over the edge.
“Fuck, baby,” he groans. “I’m going to come so fucking hard, and you better swallow every goddamn drop.”
“Mm-hmm,” I moan, closing my eyes and sucking harder, putting everything I have into what I’m doing. I bring my other hand lower, cupping his heavy balls while I work as much of his cock as I can into my mouth.
Tipping his head back, he groans my name right before I feel his whole body tense. He pulses inside my mouth, coming hard as his hips stutter and he palms the back of my head, keeping me locked in place. I relax against him, letting him use my mouth as he wants and needs until he’s completely spent. With a ragged breath, he softens his hand and opens his eyes to look down at me.
I give his cock another suck as I meet his eyes. He starts to grow soft, but I don’t pull back. He may be right about my bratty side, but that’s not how I feel right now. After getting on my knees for him, I’m surprised by how badly I want him to take care of me. He can somehow sense what I need, running his fingers through my hair in a soothing motion that has my eyes dripping closed at his touch.
“There’s my good girl,” he murmurs. “Still stuffed with my cock and wanting praise.”
His thumb caresses my cheek and then runs over my stretched-out upper lip. “That was fucking amazing, baby. I had no idea anything could feel that good. You jumped the line, though. I wanted to eat your pussy first, remember?”
Whatever he sees on my face has him grinning before he taps the tip of my nose. “Don’t get pissed at me yet. Save that for later, because, Talia, I am going to make you pay for this.”
I give him another suck before slowly pulling back. He’s still semi-hard, and I know it wouldn’t take much to get him fully going again, but I resist and let him go.
“I was just trying to help you out,” I say as soon as my mouth is empty.
He pulls his pants back up and kneels down so he can cup my face. “And I appreciate it and it felt amazing.”
“So what’s the problem? Why do I need this horrible punishment you’re thinking of giving me?”
He smiles at my pouty tone. “Oh, sweetheart, make no mistake, you’re going to love the punishment. You’re just going to hate how long I make you wait to come.”
Before I can argue, he kisses me deeply, tasting himself on my tongue when he gives it a suck. Pulling back, he rests his forehead against mine.
“I’m staying at my house tonight, and you’re coming with me. I need time alone with you.”
I nod, wanting that just as badly as he does.
“The punishment is because I like to be obeyed, but it turns out I also love it when your bratty side comes out and you defiantly disobey me.”
“If you love it, then why am I being punished?”
“Well, I can’t just let you get away with it, now can I? What kind of dom would I be if I didn’t have control of my sub?”
“Is that what we’re calling ourselves?” I ask with a laugh.
He shrugs and kisses the tip of my nose. “We can call ourselves whatever we want. I don’t care so much what other people do or if we’re similar to that. I don’t give a fuck about anyone but us. We make our own rules. If we like it, we do it. There’s no need to complicate it.”
“What if you like something and I don’t?”
He gives me an easy smile. “Then we don’t do it. Whatever it is, I’ll stop liking it the second you don’t want to do it. This stuff only turns me on if you’re into it. If you hate it, I’ll hate it. I never want to force you to do anything you don’t want to do. That’s not sexy to me.”
I let out a relieved breath. “Okay, then. We experiment and find what we like.”
“Deal.” He smacks my ass and says, “We really need to get out there or they will come looking.”
I nod my head in agreement and reach out to zip up his jeans and button them. “Can’t have you going out there like that. We’re going to look guilty enough as is.”
“We are. You, sweetheart, have swollen lips, tear-streaked cheeks, and messed up hair. You look like a woman who’s just been down on her knees.”
“Oh my god,” I groan, getting up and running into the bathroom so I can fix my hair and splash water onto my face.
Max is still grinning when I walk back out. As soon as I’m close enough, he pulls me to him and kisses me. “You may fool everyone else, but every time I look at you, I’m going to remember what these gorgeous lips look like wrapped around my cock, and I’m going to hear all the sweet little moans and whimpers and feel that very talented tongue of yours running over me and licking me like you’ll never be able to get enough. You’re a very hungry little thing.”
“I’m starving,” I tell him, and he smiles at how frustrated I sound.
Before he steps back, he slides his hand between my legs, laughing when he feels how wet I am. “You’ve already soaked through your yoga pants. Today is going to be a beautiful day,” he says with a big smile.
“For you,” I mutter as he threads his hand through mine and pulls me out the door. Embarrassment gets the better of me when we reach the end of the hall, and before we turn the corner, I try to step behind him so he’s partially hiding me from view.
I hear the amusement in his voice when he pulls me back beside him and says, “I love you, Talia. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, and as much as I don’t want to think about it, our parents have all been there and done that.”
“Eww,” I say, making him laugh again.
When we step into the main room, everyone turns to look at us. Bran notices the movement, and when he sees us, he shakes his head in mock disappointment and signs, Thanks for the most awkward breakfast I’ve ever been a part of. Dad could sense what you were doing. The man is barely hanging on.
“What did he just sign?” Max whispers. “I recognized the thank you.”
“He just thanked me for a really awkward breakfast and said my dad knew what we were doing,” I whisper back.
Max laughs. “For his sake, I sincerely hope not.”
“How’s your arm?” Simona comes walking over, cutting through the tension in the room like a woman on a mission. Her smile is genuine, and she doesn’t even hint at us being over an hour late. I really do like her.
“Still numb, and I’m really going to miss it when that goes away,” Max says.
“Well, hurry up and get a big plate of breakfast before you start feeling bad,” she says, giving me a big smile and waving us both over to the kitchen. She’s been keeping two plates warming in the oven, and when she pulls them out and sets them on the island, my dad comes over and gives me a hug.
“Sleep okay?”
I try very hard to not blush when I answer him. “Yeah, Dad, I slept great.”
We both pretend he has no clue that I snuck into Max’s room and slept in his bed. My mom gives a soft laugh and walks over to give me a hug.
“Give him time,” she whispers, and then gives Max a side hug. “You both look a lot better today. Your mom and I are in complete agreement about making you both put on some weight, so eat up.”
“I will. I’m starving,” I say, eyeing the plate of blueberry pancakes and bacon.
Once we’re settled at the counter and eating, Max asks, “So when is everyone getting here?”
His dad says, “You know your family, Max. I’m honestly surprised they weren’t here as soon as the sun was up. Your Aunt Katya must’ve distracted Vitaly this morning to keep him in bed.” He laughs and says to me, “Our family is a bit crazy, but they all mean well. Don’t be surprised when they all barge in like they own the place and then insist on hugging you like they’ve known you for years.”
“They seem great,” I tell him. “I didn’t really get a chance to meet everyone the other night, but I need to thank them for all they did.”
His dad waves a hand at me. “It was a joint effort, and we were lucky that it all went so smoothly.” He nods his head at Bran. “Your brother is one hell of a shot.”
I grin, unable to hide how proud I am of him. “He is,” I agree.
Both our moms try their best to not hover, but I see the relieved look they share when Max and I both clean our plates of everything. Before I can put them in the dishwasher, Simona is taking them from us and telling us to go sit down and relax. Max grabs my hand and sits with me on the couch. My brothers are already there with Niki. They’re playing some video game that seems to involve killing zombies and enough movement to ensure I’ll be throwing up if I keep watching it.
“What’s wrong?” Max asks, when I quickly turn away.
Dima laughs and answers for me. “She gets motion sickness really bad. Bran and I tried to get her used to it by making her play with us, thinking she’d just get over it if she stared at the screen long enough.” He laughs again at the memory that I will never forget before saying, “She threw up everywhere. It was awful.”
He makes a gagging noise, and I know he’s acting it out for Bran. When I turn my head to look, Bran gives me a sympathetic smile and signs, Sorry. We really did think it would help.
I smile and roll my eyes, letting him know there are no hard feelings. To be fair, we were ten and Dima was fourteen, so what the hell did we know?
“Poor thing,” Max says, giving my head a kiss. “I promise I’ll never play video games in front of you or make you watch shaky cam movies.”
“Why did they even start making those?” I ask, resting my head on his shoulder so I can’t see the TV screen. “Who wants to watch a movie like that? It doesn’t make me feel like I’m right there with them any more than a still camera would. It just pisses me off and makes me vomit.”
Max laughs and then turns his head when he hears the elevator. “Uh-oh, they’ve arrived.”
The first thing I see is my Uncle Valeri followed by Max’s Uncle Vitaly. Both of them are holding large ice cream cones. My uncle sees my dad and gives him a big grin while holding up his cone.
“Can you believe this? Vitaly owns a fucking ice cream shop,” my uncle says, the awe in his voice making us all laugh.
“Well, I think we all know what you’re going to be doing as soon as we get back home,” my dad says.
“I mean, it’s brilliant,” my uncle says. “Free ice cream whenever he wants it.”
“This is what I don’t get,” Max’s dad says, looking over at his brother who’s still working his way through his own cone. “You have enough money to buy ice cream anytime you want it. Why is this better?”
Vitaly looks at my uncle, giving him a Can you believe this guy look. “Because it’s free,” he says like it’s a no-brainer. “It’s free, I can get it anytime I want, even if it’s after hours, I can have flavors named after me, and I can make the menu whatever the hell I want. It’s not rocket science, Danil.”
The rest of our families come bursting in while I hear Roman say, “I can think of a few names for that flavor.”
Vitaly takes another lick and looks at his brother. “Keep talking, and I won’t name one after you.”
Roman laughs and walks over to us while everyone else keeps piling in. He leans down to give his nephew a hug and then surprises me by including me in it.
“How you feeling today?”
Max grins and says, “My arm is still numb, so not too bad.”
“Enjoy it while it lasts,” Roman tells him and then waves a beautiful woman over. “Talia, this is my wife Emily.”
“It’s so good to finally meet you,” Emily says, giving us both a hug like her husband had done. I can hear the emotion in her voice when she tells Max, “It’s so good to have you back. We were so worried about you.”
“I’m fine, Aunt Emily. I’m sorry I made you all worry,” he tells her.
She gives a soft laugh. “Who apologizes for being kidnapped? Of course we were all worried. We love you.” She turns to me with a sappy smile on her face. “I have the cutest pictures of him playing with my oldest son when they were both in diapers.”
“I can’t wait to see those,” I tell her.
She gives me a wink and then something catches her attention from across the room right before she yells, “Damian, come here, honey.”
I watch a young man start to walk over. He looks vaguely familiar, but I’d seen a lot of men the night of our rescue, and I’d been so out of it and worried about Max that I don’t remember everyone. He gets sidetracked when someone hands him a plate of food, so he gives us a smile and wave, making it clear he’ll be over as soon as he can.
The penthouse is quickly filling up, and before I can get overwhelmed by it all, Max wraps his arm around me and brings his mouth to my ear. “Just breathe, baby. They’re all just really curious about the woman I’ve gone and fallen in love with.”
I smile up at him when he turns his face to give me a quick kiss. When we pull apart, we see several women smiling down at us with watery eyes.
Max laughs and points a finger at the woman on the left. Going down the list, he says, “Talia, this is my Aunt Jolene, my Aunt Katya, and my Aunt Alina.”
“Hi,” I say, giving a quick wave.
The Melnikov family is as affectionate as mine, so they ignore my wave and instead take turns giving me a hug. I watch as they do the same to Max while they cry and tell him how much they’ve missed him and how happy they are to have him back. All the emotion nearly has my own eyes tearing up, and I’m not at all surprised when he squeezes my thigh, softly caressing me with this thumb while he continues to talk to his aunts. He’s in tune to my emotions in a way that’s uncanny, but it makes sense after everything we’ve been through.
I’m just as in tune to his, so when there’s a lull in the conversation, I lean close and ask, “You okay?”
He turns and gives me a grin. The mere sight of that beautiful smile is enough to make my heart speed up. “I’m fine, baby.” When it’s obvious I don’t believe him, he kisses the tip of my nose and adds, “My hand is starting to ache a bit, but I’m okay.”
“Let me know if you need anything,” I tell him. “I can get you a pain pill.”
“I’m fine,” he insists, giving me another smile.
“Promise me you’ll take one if you need one,” I say.
“I promise. Now, stop worrying. We’re about to be ambushed by my cousins and their kids.”
I turn to see a group walking over to us with an adorable, dark-haired toddler leading the way with a huge smile on her cute face. She runs up to Max and flings her arms around his neck while a very pregnant, gorgeous woman calls, “Sweetie, watch out for his owie!”
I thought Max couldn’t get any sexier, but when I see him smiling down at his niece, he proves me wrong. Turning his head, he gives me a wink and surprises the hell out of me by asking, “You want kids, right?”